[Migration Background and Pathological Gambling: Results of a Nationwide Epidemiological Study on the Impact of Region of Origin in Germany]. / Migrationshintergrund und pathologisches Glücksspielen: Befunde einer deutschlandweiten epidemiologischen Untersuchung zur Bedeutung der Herkunftsregion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the extent to which the presence and number of symptoms of pathological gambling (PG), distinguished by region of origin (RO), differ. METHODS: Data was obtained from a nationwide telephone survey of 15 023 individuals living in Germany and aged 14-64 years. They were categorized according to their RO and the number of symptoms of PG (0-10 DSM-IV-criteria). RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of PG symptoms is 18.1% for people of the RO Turkey, 9.0% for those of the RO Yugoslavia and 6.8% for those without a migration background. Compared to the latter, the two-part count data regression method showed a higher chance of PG symptoms for the RO Turkey as well as a 70.3 and 87.2% increase in the number of symptoms for the RO Turkey and Yugoslavia, respectively. CONCLUSION: The RO could independently contribute to the presence and amount of symptoms of PG.

[Evaluation of Psychiatric Disorders on the Basis of a SCID Screening]. / Evaluation psychiatrischer Störungen anhand eines erweiterten SKID-Screenings.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric symptoms/syndromes such as depression, apathy, anxiety or psychotic episodes are present in a range of neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) represents the gold standard for the assessment of psychiatric disorders but is often too time-consuming for application in clinical practice. METHODS: 66 participants were examined using the screening items and the first two questions of section A of the SCID as well as the complete version of the SCID, part I. The accuracy of the screening and the complete SCID was evaluated, and logistic regression was conducted to analyze factors associated with measure disagreement between the two procedures. RESULTS: Overall, psychiatric disorders were identified by screening in 40/66 (60.6%), as against 31/66 (47.0%) using the complete SCID. Compared to the complete SCID, the sensitivity and specificity of the screening items were 88% and 59%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on its good sensitivity, the SCID screening may be used in clinical practice to yield an overview of psychiatric disorders that may require treatment. Due to its moderate specificity, however, the complete version of the SCID should be subsequently used in cases whenever the SCID screening is positive. In any case, the SCID screening must be regarded as inadequate for the detection of psychotic symptoms.

[Video game and internet addiction. The current state of research]. / Computerspiel- und Internetsucht. Der aktuelle Forschungsstand.

The use of interactive screen media is widespread and for some users leads to pathological symptoms that are phenomenologically similar to signs of addictive disorders. Addictive use of computer games and other Internet applications, such as social media can be distinguished. In the past standard criteria to classify this new disorder were lacking. In DSM-5, nine criteria are proposed for diagnosing Internet gaming disorder. The focus is currently on video games as most studies have been done in this field. Prevalence estimations are difficult to interpret due to the lack of standard diagnostic measures and result in a range of the frequency of Internet addiction between 1 % and 4.2 % in the general German population. Rates are higher in younger individuals. For computer game addiction prevalence rates between 0.9 % and 1.7  % can be found in adolescents. Despite substantial comorbidity among those affected current research points to addictive media use as a stand-alone disorder.

[The quality of life in relatives giving care to patients with psychotic disorders is mainly determined by their internal locus of control]. / Die Lebensqualität von Angehörigen psychotisch erkrankter Patienten wird entscheidend von ihren Kontrollüberzeugungen bestimmt.

INTRODUCTION: The presented study examines to which extent the quality of life and experiences of relatives giving care to patients with psychotic disorders are being influenced by patient- or relative-dependent factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The quality of life and experiences of care-giving of 33 relatives of patients with a schizophrenic spectrum disorder were assessed. Applying a multiple regression model, they were correlated to the relatives' internal locus of control as well as to data referring to the patients' disease. RESULTS: 47 % of the variance of the relatives' quality of life could be explained by their locus of control, their social support, and their level of psychosocial functioning. In contrast, data determined by the patients' disease only accounted for 9 % of the variance. DISCUSSION: In order to specifically encourage strengths on the part of the relatives and therefore improve their quality of life and their experiences of caregiving, their locus of control, social support and psychosocial functioning should be taken into consideration in concepts for the treatment of patients with psychosis.

E-Health intervention for subthreshold depression: Reach and two-year effects of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence for e-Health interventions for full-blown depression. Little is known regarding commonly untreated subthreshold depression in primary care. This randomized controlled multi-centre trial assessed reach and two-year-effects of a proactive e-Health intervention (ActiLife) for patients with subthreshold depression. METHODS: Primary care and hospital patients were screened for subthreshold depression. Over 6 months, ActiLife participants received three individualized feedback letters and weekly messages promoting self-help strategies against depression, e.g., dealing with unhelpful thoughts or behavioural activation. The primary outcome depressive symptom severity (Patient Health Questionnaire;PHQ-8) and secondary outcomes were assessed 6, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: Of those invited, n = 618(49.2 %) agreed to participate. Of them, 456 completed the baseline interview and were randomized to ActiLife (n = 227) or assessment only (n = 226). Generalised estimation equation analyses adjusting for site, setting and baseline depression revealed that depressive symptom severity declined over time, with no significant group differences at 6 (mean difference = 0.47 points; d = 0.12) and 24 months (mean difference = -0.05 points; d = -0.01). Potential adverse effects were observed at 12 months, with higher depressive symptom severity for ActiLife than control participants (mean difference = 1.33 points; d = 0.35). No significant differences in rates of reliable deterioration or reliable improvement of depressive symptoms were observed. ActiLife increased applied self-help strategies at 6 (mean difference = 0.32; d = 0.27) and 24 months (mean difference = 0.22; d = 0.19), but not at 12 months (mean difference = 0.18; d = 0.15). LIMITATIONS: Self-report measures and lack of information on patients' mental health treatment. DISCUSSION: ActiLife yielded satisfactory reach and increased the use of self-help strategies. Data were inconclusive in terms of depressive symptom changes.

Attitudes towards brief interventions to reduce smoking and problem drinking behaviour in gynaecological practice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess attitudes towards brief interventions, obstacles and assessment rates for smoking and problem drinking in gynaecological practice, and to evaluate the differences between smoking and problem drinking. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHOD: An anonymous mail survey was conducted with all 358 primary care gynaecologists in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. RESULTS: Most gynaecologists considered brief interventions for problem drinking to be less important in gynaecological practice than in general (74% vs 64%). Brief interventions were believed to be ineffective, particularly for problem drinking (64% vs 53% for smoking). Gynaecologists felt better prepared to counsel their patients than to assess substance use. Only 35% stated that they assess the smoking status of every patient, and less than 12% stated that they assess the alcohol consumption of every patient. The counselling rate for smoking was high (79%), but problem drinkers were often referred to specialists (counselling rate 36%). The most important obstacles for the implementation of brief interventions were lack of time and poor patient compliance. In addition, for problem drinking, insufficient specialization was a further obstacle. CONCLUSION: Although a link was found between primary gynaecological care and tobacco and alcohol use, brief interventions are not yet integrated into gynaecological practice. There are, however, some promising starting points for patients who smoke, as motivation among gynaecologists to conduct brief interventions and counselling is high. The findings underscore the need for increased medical education and information about brief interventions, as well as assessment programmes for gynaecologists.

[Readiness to provide smoking cessation counselling--results of a survey among general practitioners in Brandenburg]. / Bereitschaft zur Beratung von rauchenden Patienten--Ergebnisse einer Arztebefragung in Brandenburg.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of brief interventions on smoking cessation together with regular visits to the general practitioners (GP) has been proven. Nevertheless, the guidelines for smoking cessation are not currently implemented sufficiently. A lack of financial resources, time, and consulting abilities prevent GPs from offering systematic advice on smoking cessation. This study examine 1) to what extent GPs ask their patients to provide information about their smoking habits and to what extent they document this, 2) how willing, and 3) how confident GPs are to offer all smoking patient counselling, and 4) which factors influence their level of confidence. METHODS: From August 2005 until May 2006, a questionnaire was sent to all 1 247 GPs in Brandenburg. In all 68 practices was excluded for several reasons (closed practice, death, not providing primary care) a total of 54.0% (n=637) of the GPs took part. RESULTS: 30.0% of the GPs documented the smoking status of their patients during the first consultation. 12.9% had already offered advice to all their smoking patients, while 27.6% were not willing to offer advice to all smoking patients. The average confidence of GPs to offer all smoking patients advice on smoking cessation was 4.1 (SD=2.6) on scale of 1 to 10 (1=not at all confident and 10=very confident). The confidence of non-smoking GPs to offer an advice was higher in comparison with smoking GPs. CONSEQUENCES: To motivate GPs to offer advice on smoking cessation, it seems necessary to change some conditions. This includes programms, initiated by professional medical associations, to help colleagues stop smoking. Further studies should indicate whether the inclusion of practice colleagues in screening and regular updates of the patient's smoking status increase the number of regular counselling.

[The readiness of staff in general medical practices to participate in a smoking cessation programme]. / Die Bereitschaft nichtärztlicher Mitarbeiterinnen in Hausarztpraxen, an der Umsetzung eines Nichtraucherangebots mitzuwirken.

AIM: So far, the chances for tobacco prevention are not currently implemented sufficiently in general practices. The involvement of practice nurses (PN) could contribute to reach more patients. This study investigated the characteristics of PN which could be relevant for the implementation of counselling offers. METHODS: A total of 216 general practices was randomly selected from all general practitioners registered for primary care in a defined region in West Pomerania. The participation rate was 69% (n=151). A total of 209 PN participated in a training and 94.3% filled in the questionnaire. RESULTS: The data indicated a smoking prevalence rate of 30.3% among PN. Their motivation, to offer counselling measures in general practices was higher on average than the confidence to realise such interventions. There was no association between characteristics of PN such as age, number of work years in the practice, hours worked per week or smoking status and motivation or confidence measures. CONCLUSION: There is a need for proactive interventions to decrease the smoking prevalence among PN. Furthermore, it should be examined which skills and knowledge are essential for PN nurses to manage new tasks with a high level of confidence.

The association of cognitive distortions and the type of gambling in problematic and disordered gambling.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that particular types of gambling are related to the development of gambling-related problems. Further, gambling-related cognitive distortions contribute to the development of disordered gambling. The aim of the present study is to compare different gambling types with respect to cognitive distortions and the development of disordered gambling. METHODS: Based on a proactively screened sample of vocational school students (N = 6718), 309 students were selected to undergo an in-depth interview. We assessed the Gamblers-Belief-Questionnaire (GBQ) to measure gambling-related cognitive distortions and the Stinchfield questionnaire for assessing gambling-related problems. Associations between cognitive distortions, gambling-related symptoms, and types of gambling were analysed using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Higher scores on the GBQ subscale "belief in luck/perseverance" led to a significantly higher chance to be classified as a person with Gambling Disorder (Conditional Odds Ratio (COR) = 1.05, Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.02-1.08) as well as problematic gambling (COR = 1.04, CI = 1.01-1.06). Higher scores on the subscale "illusion of control" were also associated with problematic gambling (COR = 1.04, CI = 1.00-1.08). The multivariate analyses of the gambling types identified only sports betting as a predictor for problematic gambling (COR = 1.91, CI = 1.05-3.49). When controlling for cognitive distortions, sports betting was not significant anymore. With respect to disordered gambling, gambling on electronic gambling machines (EGMs) turned out to be a risk factor besides cognitive distortions (COR = 2.59, CI = 1.04-6.49). DISCUSSION: The present study confirmed the high relevance of cognitive distortions for problematic and disordered gambling especially for sports betting and gambling on EGMs. Preventive measures and psychotherapy should take these relationships into account.

Primary focal dystonia: evidence for distinct neuropsychiatric and personality profiles.

BACKGROUND: Primary focal dystonia (PFD) is characterised by motor symptoms. Frequent co-occurrence of abnormal mental conditions has been mentioned for decades but is less well defined. In this study, prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders, personality disorders and traits in a large cohort of patients with PFD were evaluated. METHODS: Prevalence rates of clinical psychiatric diagnoses in 86 PFD patients were compared with a population based sample (n = 3943) using a multiple regression approach. Furthermore, participants were evaluated for personality traits with the 5 Factor Personality Inventory. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence for any psychiatric or personality disorder was 70.9%. More specifically, axis I disorders occurred at a 4.5-fold increased chance. Highest odds ratios were found for social phobia (OR 21.6), agoraphobia (OR 16.7) and panic disorder (OR 11.5). Furthermore, an increased prevalence rate of 32.6% for anxious personality disorders comprising obsessive-compulsive (22.1%) and avoidant personality disorders (16.3%) were found. Except for social phobia, psychiatric disorders manifested prior to the occurrence of dystonia symptoms. In the self-rating of personality traits, PFD patients demonstrated pronounced agreeableness, conscientiousness and reduced openness. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PFD show distinct neuropsychiatric and personality profiles of the anxiety spectrum. PFD should therefore be viewed as a neuropsychiatric disorder rather than a pure movement disorder.

Naturalistic changes in the readiness of postpartum women to quit smoking.

BACKGROUND: This study involves a long-term examination of the natural behavioral changes in postpartum women undergoing smoking cessation. The analysis was based on the readiness to quit smoking as assessed using the Transtheoretical Model of intentional behavioral change. This is a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Between May 2002 and March 2003, all women in the maternity wards of six hospitals in the German state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania were screened for smoking before or during pregnancy. Of the women who answered in the affirmative, 871 (77%) participated in the study.We utilized a questionnaire to classify 345 women into stages of progress regarding their motivation to change their smoking behavior 4­6 weeks postpartum (T0). Participants were followed-up after 6 (T1), 12 (T2), and 18 months(T3). In addition to the descriptive analysis, latent transition analysis was applied as a statistical method to test models of patterns of change and to evaluate transitions in the stages of change over time. RESULTS: During the time interval between consecutive follow-up surveys, 59.1% (T0/T1), 72.3% (T1/T2), and 67.9% (T2/T3) of women remained at the same stage of motivation to change. Most relapses into earlier stages occurred 6 months postpartum (T1) (31.5% of the stage transition). The patterns of change across the first three time points were best described by a model that includes stability, one-stage progressions,and one-to-four-stage regressions. CONCLUSIONS: Readiness to quit smoking in study participants did not substantially change over the span of 18 months postpartum.

Intention to quit smoking: is the partner's smoking status associated with the smoker's intention to quit?

BACKGROUND: Smoking behavior among couples is often similar. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the partner's smoking status and the intention to stop smoking of the index person. METHOD: Cross-sectional data of 1,044 patients in a random sample of 34 general medical practices in northeastern Germany were analyzed. RESULTS: Among smokers with a non-smoking partner (SNP), more intended to quit smoking in the next six months (37.0% vs. 31.4%), compared to smokers with a smoking partner (SSP). Also, more SNP intended to quit in the next four weeks (4.7% vs. 2.7%) compared to SSP. SNP were more active in the use of self-change strategies than SSP. CONCLUSION: The data confirm that the partner's smoking status is related to the intention to quit smoking. Interventions should address the different needs of both smokers with a smoking partner and those with a non-smoking partner.

Postpartum smoking cessation and relapse prevention intervention: a structural equation modeling application to behavioral and non-behavioral outcomes of a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of the study was to test the effectiveness of a postpartum smoking cessation and relapse prevention intervention. Structural equation modeling techniques were applied to evaluate the impact of the intervention on smoking behavior and on non-behavioral variables derived from the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). Women were randomized to an intervention (I) and control group (C). Smoking status, TTM-variables, and control variables were assessed four weeks, six and 12 months postpartum. Membership in the intervention group significantly predicted non-smoking and higher self-efficacy six months, but not one year postpartum, after controlling for demographic, smoking, and postpartum risk variables.

[Diversity and accessibility of smoking cessation aids in the internet]. / Vielfalt und Auffindbarkeit von Hilfeangeboten zur Raucherentwöhnung im Internet.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Only a few smokers use smoking cessation aids. The Internet can act as a medium to improve the dissemination of traditional smoking cessation aids, but can also provide direct help by its own interactive capabilities. The purpose of this study is to give an overview of the different smoking cessation aids offered via the Internet and to categorise their contents. METHODS: Two different search strategies were used to find smoking cessation aids on the Internet. The first was a search with the search engine Google. Six search terms were previously generated by interviews with one hundred smokers. Using these terms, the Google search resulted in a list of 106 websites. The second strategy was a direct search on 31 websites of different health-related institutions. To classify the smoking cessation aids on the websites, a system of different categories was developed. RESULTS: The offers for smoking cessation on the Internet could be assigned to 11 categories. General information about smoking cessation was the most and interactive programs was the least represented category. The websites of the health-related institutions offered a larger variety of directly useable smoking cessation aids (39%) than the websites retrieved via Google (29%). CONCLUSION: Interactive smoking cessation aids which provide individual support are still underrepresented on the Internet. Direct search strategies on the pages of health-related institutions were more promising than the use of a search engine. The proactive promotion of quality-controlled Internet offers seems to be important to capitalise on the potential of the Internet.

[Continuous individual support of smoking cessation in socially deprived young adults via mobile phones--results of a pilot study]. / Kontinuierliche individuelle Förderung der Rauchabstinenz bei sozial benachteiligten jungen Erwachsenen über das Handy--Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention using text messaging (SMS) for continuous, individual support of smoking cessation. METHODS: Ninety-three socially deprived young adults were screened for smoking status and usage of text messaging in an institution for occupational rehabilitation. People who reported smoking daily and using text messaging at least weekly were invited to participate in a 12-week, SMS-based intervention. Individualised SMS-feedbacks were sent to the participants weekly, based on data from the baseline assessment and the weekly SMS assessment of the intention to quit smoking. Additionally, the participants could request SMS support whenever they suffered from withdrawal symptoms or craving. The intervention was based on the transtheoretical model of behaviour change (TTM). All of the 35 persons who met the inclusion criteria for the study registered for study participation; post-assessments were obtained from 33 participants. RESULTS: The average participant answered 8 of the 12 weekly SMS questions. The SMS-based questions and -feedbacks were evaluated as self-explanatory by the participants. At post-assessment, five participants (15%) reported occasional instead of daily smoking. None of the participants reported abstinence after the intervention. Pre-post comparisons revealed a reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day as well as in the heaviness of smoking and an increase in risk perception. No significant differences were found for situational urge to smoke and intention to change. CONCLUSION: The intervention proved to be feasible in a sample of socially deprived young adults, and was well accepted. The first results concerning its effectiveness are promising. The examination of this approach within a controlled study seems reasonable.

Manifesto for a European research network into Problematic Usage of the Internet.

The Internet is now all-pervasive across much of the globe. While it has positive uses (e.g. prompt access to information, rapid news dissemination), many individuals develop Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI), an umbrella term incorporating a range of repetitive impairing behaviours. The Internet can act as a conduit for, and may contribute to, functionally impairing behaviours including excessive and compulsive video gaming, compulsive sexual behaviour, buying, gambling, streaming or social networks use. There is growing public and National health authority concern about the health and societal costs of PUI across the lifespan. Gaming Disorder is being considered for inclusion as a mental disorder in diagnostic classification systems, and was listed in the ICD-11 version released for consideration by Member States (http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/revision/timeline/en/). More research is needed into disorder definitions, validation of clinical tools, prevalence, clinical parameters, brain-based biology, socio-health-economic impact, and empirically validated intervention and policy approaches. Potential cultural differences in the magnitudes and natures of types and patterns of PUI need to be better understood, to inform optimal health policy and service development. To this end, the EU under Horizon 2020 has launched a new four-year European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action Programme (CA 16207), bringing together scientists and clinicians from across the fields of impulsive, compulsive, and addictive disorders, to advance networked interdisciplinary research into PUI across Europe and beyond, ultimately seeking to inform regulatory policies and clinical practice. This paper describes nine critical and achievable research priorities identified by the Network, needed in order to advance understanding of PUI, with a view towards identifying vulnerable individuals for early intervention. The network shall enable collaborative research networks, shared multinational databases, multicentre studies and joint publications.

[Referral behaviour of general practitioners to professionals in outpatient care and in addiction treatment sites in Mecklenburg-West Pommerania]. / Die Uberweisung von Patienten mit Abhängigkeitserkrankungen in die ambulante und stationäre professionelle Suchtkrankenhilfe - Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Befragung unter Hausärzten in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

AIM: This study gives an overview about the collaboration of general practitioners (GP) with professionals in outpatient care and in addiction treatment sites. The goal of the study is to examine whether characteristics of the GP and distances to various specialised professionals have an effect on the referral of patients to GPs, primarily in the pilot study of nine "Medical practices for addiction". METHOD: A random sample of 330 general practices was drawn from the records of the association of the Compulsory Health Insurance. The participation rate was 75.8%. RESULTS: There was a high level of networking between general practitioners (GP) and professionals in outpatient care and in addiction treatment sites. The greater the distance to a "Medical practice for addiction", the lower was the chance of referral. There was no influence of distance concerning referral and other specialised outpatient professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Only part of the general population benefits from the pilot study. Aspects such as accessibility and well proven habits of the GPs concerning referral, should be considered to a greater extent for future collaboration among addiction care systems.

Associations of perceived work strain with nicotine dependence in a community sample.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about work strain and smoking, and even less about work strain and nicotine dependence. AIM: To investigate the relations of perceived work strain with nicotine dependence among an adult general population sample. METHOD: Cross sectional survey with a probability sample of residents of a northern German area with 4075 participants, aged 18-64 years (participation rate 70.2%). The current study is based on 2549 participants who were working 15 or more hours per week. Face to face at-home computer aided interviews (World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview) were carried out. Work strain, defined as high work demand and low work control, was assessed with a questionnaire. Nicotine dependence was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) of the American Psychiatric Association. In addition, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used. RESULTS: Subjects with work strain had an odds ratio of 1.6 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.3) for nicotine dependence compared to those who had no work strain. In a general linear model, higher work strain was associated with a stronger relation between work demand and work control and the FTND. The findings were adjusted for alcohol use disorders, occupational status, age, and sex. CONCLUSION: Perceived work strain is related to nicotine dependence in this general adult population.

The relationship between impaired decision-making, sensation seeking and readiness to change in cigarette smokers.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated whether impaired decision-making as measured by the Gambling Task and Sensation Seeking, on one hand, and nicotine-dependence and readiness to change, on the other hand, show mutual influences in cigarette smokers. METHODS: Cigarette smokers were classified as dependent or non-dependent smokers. Assessment included stages of change (RCQ), decisional balance (DBS), Sensation Seeking Scale Form-V (SSS-V), and performance on the Gambling Task (GT). RESULTS: With the exception of a significant higher score in the SSS-V subscale Experience Seeking in dependent smokers, correlations between nicotine-dependence and cognitive features were not significant. The directions of the non-significant differences were not consistent. No significant relationship was found between the SSS-V and the GT, on one hand, and the readiness to change smoking behaviour, on the other hand. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that impaired performance on the GT and high scores in Sensation Seeking do not play an important role in nicotine-dependence and readiness to change smoking behaviour or vice versa.

[General hospital patients with alcohol problems welcome counselling]. / Krankenhauspatienten mit riskantem Alkoholkonsum sind offen für Beratung.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine predictors for openness to alcohol-related counselling among general hospital patients with alcohol problems. We wanted to test whether those with less severe alcohol problems and those with a lack of motivation for behaviour charge or with a lack of motivation to seek help would agree to participate in alcohol-related counselling. METHOD: A total of 1150 hospital patients with alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, at-risk drinking or excessive drinking were interviewed. They were asked about their attitude towards alcohol-related counselling, about their motivation to change their drinking and about their motivation to seek professional help. A multi-variable logistic regression analysis was calculated to determine predictors for agreement to counselling. RESULTS: A total of 66 % of all participants agreed to receive information on professional help and on how they could help themselves. Among these were 77 % of the alcohol dependent participants and 56 % of the non-dependent participants. Motivation to change and motivation to seek help were identified as the most significant predictors for agreement to counselling. However, 63 % of the participants open for counselling were not yet ready to change their habits and 62 % were not yet ready to seek profession help. CONCLUSION: The majority of hospital patients with less severe alcohol problems as well as the majority of hospital patients not ready to seek more intensive professional help were open for alcohol-related counselling. Given a systematic screening, this opens up the opportunity for addiction counsellors, hospital physicians or nurses to actively offer counselling.